Unitarian Universalist Policy and LGBTQ Issues

Unitarian Universalism is widely known for its commitment to welcome and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals and families.

We are one of the few religions that ordains openly LGBTQ people, and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) also provides assistance in their settlement. Our LGBTQ clergy (who are permitted to partner or marry) participate fully in our faith community as pastors in some of our largest congregations.

Unitarian Universalism is proud to perform commitment ceremonies and marriages for couples regardless of gender, and has publicly supported this practice since 1984. The UUA actively encourages member congregations to work for marriage equality in their communities, and leaders continuously advocate for marriage equality on a national level.

Resolutions and actions on immediate witness have been passed at General Assembly on many secular LGBTQ issues, including discrimination, AIDS, the military, sexual education in public schools, marriage equality, and the employment non-discrimination act.

The UUA offers a Welcoming Congregation program to help congregations become more welcoming to LGBTQ people, and 63% of Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States are recognized as Welcoming Congregations.

The denomination has had sexuality education inclusive of issues of sexual orientation since 1971 and adult curriculum on LGBTQ issues since 1972. The UUA also expects all ministers to show ministerial competency in the area of human sexuality before being approved for ordination.